Brothers who found missing IDF soldier's remains file court claim against State, Defense Ministry, Born to be Free over $10 million prize

Ahiya Raved |Published: 12.11.12 , 21:29

Ibrahim and Khader Kozli of Isfiya, who found the body of IDF
soldier Majdy Halabi
in late September, have filed suit over the reward
offered in the case.

The brothers are suing the State, the Defense Ministry and the Born to Be Free association for the $10 million (roughly NIS 39 million) reward that was offered to anyone presenting information leading to the missing soldier's whereabouts.

The suit, filed with the Haifa District Court, said that since the State declared on various occasions, as well as on the Born to Be Free website, that a reward was offered, it is legally bound to pay it.

While a $10 million prize was promised to whoever provided valid information regarding Halabi's fate, the Born to be Free
association effectively suspended its operations in early 2012.

The suit further argues that the fact that the State and the association sponsored ads urging the public to assist in the search "constitutes a contract."

The plaintiffs claim that the fact that Born to Be Free is no longer active is irrelevant, since it was using State funds to sponsor the rewards.

"No one ever informed the public that the reward in Halabi's case was rescinded," the suit said.

The Halabi family refused to address the issue saying, "We are trying to pick up the pieces of our broken family. This has noting to do with us right now."